An Apple a Day...

Local Food: An apple a day keeps the doctor away - and satisfies your sweet tooth as well as cravings for savory.  The first apple trees at Burtt's Apple Orchard in Cabot were planted at the Orchard seven years ago; they opened for pick-your-own in 2009.  Now with over 35 varieties, Steven has plenty to choose from when he's looking for the perfect apple for one of our unique plates.  Start your dinner with the Beet and Apple Salad, with earthy beets and Mossend Blue cheese from Bonnieview Farm complemented by crispy and sweet apples and toasted almonds.  Or, the Baked Apple filled with creamy Farmer's cheese from Sweet Rowen Farmstead and smoky bacon.  Steven mixes sautéed apples with cranberries for a sweet and tart compote served along side the Pork Chop from Snug Valley Farm, with its hint of maple.  The grand finale is dessert, with Steven's famous Apple Gingerbread Upside Down Cake.  Crisp and juicy Honeycrisp apples are baked on the bottom with the new and spicy ginger from Pete's Greens, creating just the right top for the moist and flavorful cake once it's flipped upside down.  Apples are also at the bar in the form of cider - try our variation on a Sidecar, which we call "the Apple Cider Car," with cider, vodka and Vermont apple brandy.

At the Bar: Remember our Sunday and Monday drink specials. Sunday, October 7th we offer a $2.50 pint of Trapp Helles, a $4 glass of Boyden Valley Seyval Blanc or Big Barn Red. The Ginger Lemon Fizz, with Green Mountain Organic Vodka, housemade ginger syrup (with ginger from Pete's) and lemon juice is offered for $5.  Monday enjoy a pint of Switchback with Grilled Cheese for $8.50.

Around the Galaxy:  With the next event, Galaxy introduces bar catering by Claire's Restaurant. Starting at 6:30 you may order a drink (cash only please) to enjoy as a part of the event, which will begin at 7. On Tuesday, October 9th, Constance Hale visits Galaxy to introduce her new book, Vex, Hex, Smash, Smooch: Let Verbs Power Your Writing. Synthesizing the pedagogical and the popular, the scholarly and the scandalous, Hale combines the wit of Bill Bryson with the practical wisdom of William Zinsser. She marches through linguistic history to paint a layered picture of our language - from before it really existed to the quirky usages we see online today. On October 10th, Constance Hale and Zoe Fitzgerald Carter will lead a workshop in Greensboro called First Person Plural: Crafting Stories from our Lives. Look here for more information.

Music Notes: Tom Gregory joins us this Thursday, October 4th at 7:30.  New to Vermont, Tom is a songwriter/performer from Omaha, Nebraska.  He has been writing songs and performing since 2004 with a style that can be described as Midwestern Blues-Folk, with acoustic songs that are ripe with soul.

Local Events: The annual Share the Harvest fundraiser will be held this Thursday, October 4th to benefit NOFA-VT's Farm Share Program. The program helps limited-income Vermonters afford CSA shares from their local farms. On October 4th, restaurants, co-ops and food stores will participate in Share the Harvest by donating a portion of the day's sales to the program. Both Claire's and Buffalo Mountain Co-op in Hardwick will participate.

The Heart of Vermont Chamber of Commerce presents its 29th annual Fall Foliage Craft Fair at the Hardwick Elementary School from 9-5 on Saturday, October 6th.  The fair features candles, jewelry, pottery, quilts, handmade greeting cards and other fine arts and crafts.  Snacks and lunch will be on sale all day.  Beginning at 11:30 the Hardwick Kiwanis will hold their annual chicken barbecue on S Main St. across from the elementary school.  Don't miss the Open House hosted by the Hardwick Historial Society from 10-3:30 at the restored train depot on Church St.

Celebrate the second year of Fall Open Studio Weekend October 6th and 7th, when artistic creativity and the brilliant colors of Vermont autumn go hand in hand. Over 100 artists and craftspeople will open their studios to the public this weekend, giving you the opportunity to learn how art and craft is made at the studios of glass blowers, jewelers, potters, sculptors, weavers, furniture makers and more.  Bring us a receipt of purchase from a participating studio and we'll buy you dessert with the purchase of dinner for two.

Our next dance party, Heat it up, is Friday, October 19th from 10pm-2am. Heat up the dance floor with DJ Zach for a good cause- Highfields Center for Composting's Compost Heat Recovery System. Proceeds from a $10 suggested donation at the door will go towards the $40,000 fundraising goal for this project.  Donate more if you can! Designated drivers who pledge to be alcohol free for the night get free non- alcoholic drinks and $10 gift card.

Reminders: We are open seven days a week until October 10.  We will then resume our winter hours and close on Wednesdays.

We are open daily after 2:30 for coffee, bar service, and baked goods, and free WiFi, with dinner reservations available from 5-9, Sundays from 5-8. We serve our special Blunch menu Sundays from 11-2. We appreciate it when you use cash or a check - credit card companies charge us a fee that really adds up. Thanks to many of you we have been able to significantly reduce those fees.

Click on the image above to get a closer look!

The Great Pumpkin

Local Food: Though we still await the Great Pumpkin's rise out of the patch, Hardwick pumpkins are popping up all over, including our menu. These symbols of Halloween come to us from Sam Kish at Agape Hill Farm, who has been growing pumpkins on his family's land since he was eight years old.  Steven roasts the pumpkin until the flesh is sweet and soft, and the skin a shiny shell. Wheatberries and groats (the whole oat) from Butterworks Farm fill the roasted pumpkins, adding a crunchy texture to every scoop of sweet and tender.  Leeks from Hatchbrook Garden perfectly pair up with the pumpkin, given their mild onion flavor. Steven cooks the leeks down to a buttery, melty texture, which, mixed with a cream reduction, creates a fondue-like sauce. Roasted cauliflower from Pete adds another slightly nutty and creamy element to this cozy autumn dish. Look for pumpkin popping up at the bar too. Try it with a taste of the new Dunc's Mill Backwoods Reserve Rum.

At the Bar: Remember our Sunday and Monday drink specials. Sunday, September 30th we offer a $2.50 pint of Fiddlehead IPA, a $4 glass of Boyden Valley Seyval Blanc or Big Barn Red. The Whiskey Apple Fizz, with whiskey, Champlain Orchards apple cider and ginger beer, is offered for $5.  Monday enjoy a pint of Switchback with Grilled Cheese for $8.50.

Around the Galaxy: Constance Hale visits Galaxy on October 9th to introduce her new book, Vex, Hex, Smash, Smooch: Let Verbs Power Your Writing. Synthesizing the pedagogical and the popular, the scholarly and the scandalous, Hale combines the wit of Bill Bryson with the practical wisdom of William Zinsser. She marches through linguistic history to paint a layered picture of our language - from before it really existed to the quirky usages we see online today. On October 10th, Constance Hale and Zoe Fitzgerald Carter will lead a workshop in Greensboro called First Person Plural: Crafting Stories from our Lives. Look here for more information.

Music Notes: Last October join us Thursday, September 27th at 7:30.  A truly unique listening experience, this acoustic singer/songwriter duo create a musical journey that will deeply tug at your heartstrings.  Honing their crafts from different sides of the country, Erica Stroem and James Kinne came together through their sheer love and respect for music.  With powerful harmonies, rich song writing, and passionate storytelling, Last October has found a distinctive way to interpret their rapidly evolving style.

Local Events: Pete's Greens Harvest Celebration is this Saturday, September 29th. Pete and others will give farm tours throughout the afternoon, with plenty of food and snacks.  Evening brings a farm to table dinner and a special benefit concert with Anais Mitchell!  Dinner begins at 5:00, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Vermont Farm Fund. The concert begins at 7:30, and a portion of the ticket proceeds benefit the Vermont Local Food & Farms Fund, an extension of the Vermont Community Foundation. Tickets are available to purchase at The Galaxy Bookshop.

The annual Share the Harvest fundraiser will be held Thursday, October 4th to benefit NOFA-VT's Farm Share Program. The program helps limited-income Vermonters afford CSA shares from their local farms. On October 4th, restaurants, co-ops and food stores will participate in Share the Harvest by donating a portion of the day's sales to the program. Both Claire's and Buffalo Mountain Co-op in Hardwick will participate.

Reminders: We are open seven days a week in September!

We are open daily after 2:30 for coffee, bar service, and baked goods, and free WiFi, with dinner reservations available from 5-9, Sundays from 5-8. We serve our special Blunch menu Sundays from 11-2. We appreciate it when you use cash or a check - credit card companies charge us a fee that really adds up. Thanks to many of you we have been able to significantly reduce those fees.

Click on the image above to get a closer look!

Muscles From Brussels?

Local Food: If it's Tuesday, this must be Belgium?  Maybe not, as many think Brussels sprouts originated in Roman Italy.  No matter (and despite two movie references in our post so far!).  Modern Brussels sprouts were first cultivated in large quantities near the French-speaking Belgian capital. The sprouts actually resemble a mini cabbage head.  Tender, sweet, and just a bit nutty, Brussels sprouts from Mystic Morning Farm and Provender Farm have all the heft of that other famous Belgian.  Steven roasts them until brown, crispy and flavorful, sprinkles them with salt from Maine Sea Salt and serves them as a rustic starter.  The versatile Brussels sprouts can also be found in Steven's famous beer battered veggies, best dipped in grilled tomato aioli.  Shaved Brussels sprouts delicately enhance the crispy pork belly.  And pickled Brussels sprouts adorn our Bloody Mary and Dirty Martini at the bar.

At the Bar: Remember our Sunday and Monday drink specials. Sunday, September 23rd we offer a $2.50 pint of Fiddlehead IPA, a $4 glass of Boyden Valley Seyval Blanc or Big Barn Red. The Tossed Salad, with cucumber infused vodka, tomato shrub and basil salted rim, is offered for $5.  Monday enjoy a pint of Switchback with Grilled Cheese for $8.50.

Around the Galaxy:  Galaxy welcomes David Budbill on Tuesday, September 18th for a dramatic reading of Park Songs: A Poem/Play. David will be joined by guest performer and Galaxy bookseller Edgar Davis. David and Edgar last appeared together on the occasion of Galaxy's move to Main Street 9 months ago! Come at 7PM on September 18th to welcome them back to the Galaxy stage. Come early to check out these new cookbooks: Burma: Rivers of Flavor and Primal Cuts.

Music Notes: Hair of the Dog returns Thursday, September 20 at 7:30. Check out their variety of tunes- classic rock, alternative and country- a little something for everyone! They will donate their tips from the evening to the Hardwick Trails Cabin Project Fund, so you can support a great cause while having a great time!

Local Events: After a summer of traveling the world, Vermont Vaudeville is back at the Hardwick Town House with an all-star lineup of local and international performers! The shows are Friday, September 21 and Saturday, September 22 at 8pm.  Advance tickets are available at Galaxy Bookshop.  Suggested donation is $10 for adults, $5 for children.

Reminders: We are open seven days a week in September!

We are open daily after 2:30 for coffee, bar service, and baked goods, and free WiFi, with dinner reservations available from 5-9, Sundays from 5-8. We serve our special Blunch menu Sundays from 11-2. We appreciate it when you use cash or a check - credit card companies charge us a fee that really adds up. Thanks to many of you we have been able to significantly reduce those fees.

Click on the image above to get a closer look!

A Bite of Italy

Local Food: Take a trip to Milan with a Vermont variation of the classic Osso Buco -- Italian for "bone with a hole" and named for the marrow hollow at the center of the shank or shin typically used in the dish.  Inspired as well by the use of oxtail for American versions of Osso Buco, Steven improvises a tantalizing appetizer. He rubs a small portion of well-marbled lamb from the tip of the vertebrae, where the bone is narrowest, with warm spices including cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg. The tender Bonnieview Farm lamb is then braised in Shelburne Vineyard red wine, with sautéed carmen peppers from Pete's, sweet red onions from Provender Farm, tomatoes from Riverside Farm and garlic from Sandiwood Farm, finished with a bit of Vermont Creamery butter.  Steven serves the Osso Buco with its traditional accompaniment, gremolata, made with lemon verbena from Mystic Morning Farm and sage, savory and mint from Steven's garden.  Spaghetti squash from Hazendale Farm is roasted and provides just the right complement to the richness of this small plate.  A great way to warm up as cooler evenings approach, as a starter or as a light supper before dessert, it is especially good when accompanied by a glass of Cantine Barbera's Nero D'Avola from Sicily.

At the Bar: Remember our Sunday and Monday drink specials. Sunday, September 16th we offer a $2.50 pint of Trapp Golden Helles, a $4 glass of Boyden Valley Seyval Blanc or Big Barn Red. The Bemis Block, with Barr Hill Gin, Urban Moonshine Bitters and St. Germain, is offered for $5.  Monday enjoy a pint of Switchback with Grilled Cheese for $8.50.

Around the Galaxy: Elvis is coming! Galaxy is excited to welcome Elvis Munis as a part of his round the world bicycle trip to raise money for the Tanzania Conservation Resource Centre. So far he has logged 9000 kilometers, and he will talk about his trip and his goals at 7PM on Thursday, September 13th. Read more here. Elvis will also be at Provender Farm the night before, September 12th at 6PM. The following week, Galaxy welcomes David Budbill in celebration of his new book Park Songs. The book is available at Galaxy now, and David will be at Galaxy on Tuesday, September 18th at 7PM. Bookseller and actor Edgar Davis will join David for a dramatic reading.

Music Notes: Dale Cavanaugh, will play an evening of John Prine music on Thursday, September 13 at 7:30.  He is currently promoting a "mini" benefit tour called "Wash Out Irene Tour," donating ALL of his tips and donations to the Vermont Disaster Relief Fund.  Enjoy an evening of songs by a treasured songwriter while helping out fellow Vermonters.

Local Events: Tammy Fletcher Trio helps launch the Jeudevine Library Building Campaign this Saturday, September 15th at 8pm at the Hardwick Town House.  Tammy, aka The Mountain Girl, and her trio will bring Tammy's rich sound to launch the campaign to build an addition on the library.  Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for kids six and older.  Call the library at 472-5948 for more information.

Reminders: We are open seven days a week in September!

We are open daily after 2:30 for coffee, bar service, and baked goods, and free WiFi, with dinner reservations available from 5-9, Sundays from 5-8. We serve our special Blunch menu Sundays from 11-2. We appreciate it when you use cash or a check - credit card companies charge us a fee that really adds up. Thanks to many of you we have been able to significantly reduce those fees.

Click on the image above to get a closer look!

Tempting Melons

Local Food:  A cantaloupe is a confusing thing.  First, American cantaloupe is not the same fruit brought from Armenia and cultivated in a town near Rome called Cantalupo centuries ago. We enjoy the muskmelon, which might be a less exotic sounding variety but has just as deep a history and flavor.  Second, the sweet meat of this fruit is balanced just right to be the perfect pairing for savory or sweet flavors.  When so-called cantaloupe arrived from Pete's, Steven found an unlikely but tempting mate for the fruit in salty feta from Bonnieview Farm. The flavor combination is complemented with scallions from Hatchbrook Farm, adding a nice bite, along with crunchy radishes.  Steven roasts nutty edamame, also called soy beans, from Mystic Morning Farm, and tosses the salad with a mint vinaigrette and a touch of lime juice to finish.

At the Bar: Remember our Sunday and Monday drink specials. Sunday, September 9th we offer a $2.50 pint of Rock Art , a $4 glass of Boyden Valley Seyval Blanc or Big Barn Red. Our Mojito, with Dunc's Mill Elderflower Rum, is offered for $5.

Around the Galaxy: Lindsey Scott, pictured in last week's blog delivering blackberries to Claire's, has also delivered a new event to Galaxy. On September 13th, her Tanzanian friend Elvis Munis will talk about his round the world bicycle trip and his mission to raise money for the Tanzania Conservation Resource Centre. So far Elvis has logged 9000 kilometers, and he will talk about his trip and his goals at 7PM on the 13th. Read more here and plan to come to Galaxy to welcome Elvis to Hardwick. The following week, Galaxy welcomes David Budbill in celebration of his new book Park Songs. The book is available at Galaxy now, and David will be at Galaxy on Tuesday, September 18th at 7PM.

Music Notes: Poor Howard joins us this Thursday, September 6 at 7:30.  Check out his acoustic delta blues on six and 12-string guitar, punctuated with an endless supply of anecdotes, puns and shaggy dog stories.

Local Events: First Friday in Hardwick is coming up Friday, September 7 from 5-10. Celebrate Hardwick, have a good time with family, friends and neighbors, enjoy live music, sales, snacks, and extended hours. We'll be serving Vermont beer, wine, and cocktail specials from 2:30.

Reminders: We are now open seven days a week in summer!

We are open daily after 2:30 for coffee, bar service, and baked goods, and free WiFi, with dinner reservations available from 5-9, Sundays from 5-8. We serve our special Blunch menu Sundays from 11-2. We appreciate it when you use cash or a check - credit card companies charge us a fee that really adds up. Thanks to many of you we have been able to significantly reduce those fees.

Click on the image above to get a closer look!

You Can't Type on this Blackberry!

Local Food: Plump, sweet and tart, wild blackberries brighten any dish. Steven uses the luscious blackberries from Provender Farm in Cabot to add sweet tartness to the herby vinaigrette with parsley and cranberries on the Red Bore and Kale Salad.  The juicy, aromatic berries top the Beet and Arugula Salad with toasted almonds and Mossend Blue cheese from Bonnieview Farm.  Savory and sweet chutney of blackberries, peaches and red onion accompanies the maple pork chop. Crossing our fingers for cornmeal from Butterworks Farm, we hope to see Steven's famous upside down cake on the dessert menu, with a dollop of whipped cream.  Look for blackberries at the bar in our Blackberry Basil Margarita, using basil from Steven's backyard garden.

At the Bar: Remember our Sunday and Monday drink specials. Sunday, September 2nd we offer a $2.50 pint of Rock Art Ridge Runner, a $4 glass of Boyden Valley Seyval Blanc or Big Barn Red. Our Blackberry Basil Margarita is offered for $5.

Around the Galaxy: On Tuesday, August 28th at 7PM Galaxy welcomes Julia Alvarez in celebration of A Wedding in Haiti: The Story of a Friendship. The book chronicles her journey to Haiti, first for a wedding, and then again after the devastating earthquake in 2010. She will include photos and audio from her trip in her presentation. All are welcome and the event is free. Please note that the event will be held in the gallery of the Hardwick Inn, just up the street from Galaxy. Be sure to have September 18th marked on your calendar for David Budbill and his new book Park Songs, available now at The Galaxy Bookshop.

Music Notes: Tritium Well bring us their radioactive roots, rock and reggae on Thursday, August 30th at 7:30.  Check out this quintet and support local music!

Local Events: First Friday in Hardwick is coming up Friday, September 7 from 5-10. Celebrate Hardwick, have a good time with family, friends and neighbors, enjoy live music, sales, snacks, and extended hours. We'll be serving Vermont beer, wine, and cocktail specials from 2:30.

Reminders: We are now open seven days a week in summer!

We are open daily after 2:30 for coffee, bar service, and baked goods, and free WiFi, with dinner reservations available from 5-9, Sundays from 5-8. We serve our special Blunch menu Sundays from 11-2. We appreciate it when you use cash or a check - credit card companies charge us a fee that really adds up. Thanks to many of you we have been able to significantly reduce those fees.

Click on the image above to get a closer look!

Fritter Away the Last Days of Summer!

Local Food: So far, this has been an abundant season for produce in Vermont, and we're thankful for that.  Right now, it almost seems like we have corn coming out of our ears!  Johanna Laggis from Laggis Farm in East Hardwick brought by bushels for this week, and Steven brings out their sweetness with a little roasting. Shaving the kernels off the cob, he adds them to a batter and mixes in garlic from Mystic Morning Farm, red onion from Pete's and cilantro from his own garden. After a quick trip to the fryer, the fritters are crunchy on the outside and hot through and through, a good match for a duo of sauces.  Peach hot sauce made with habanero peppers from Mystic Morning Farm is blended with a bit of crème fraîche to balance the heat and offers a bit of creaminess to the fritters.  Salsa made with grilled tomatillos, onions, garlic, jalapeno and cilantro adds a smokiness to accompany the corn fritters.

At the Bar: Remember our Sunday and Monday drink specials. Sunday, August 26th we offer a $2.50 pint of Wolaver's, a $4 glass of Boyden Valley Seyval Blanc or Big Barn Red. Our Q-cumber, with cucumber infused vodka, tonic and lime, is offered for $5.

Around the Galaxy: Galaxy welcomes Julia Alvarez on Tuesday, August 28th at 7PM in celebration of A Wedding in Haiti: The Story of a Friendship. The book chronicles her journey to Haiti, first for a wedding, and then again after the devastating earthquake in 2010. She will include photos and audio from her trip in her presentation. All are welcome and the event is free. Galaxy also has a few more signed copies of Mark Bittman's books, and some delicious cookbooks at bargain prices, including One Big Table by Molly O'Neill for $17.98.

Music Notes: Dave Hall and friends join us this Thursday, August 23 at 7:30.  Support Hardwick's music scene and enjoy Dave on guitar and bouzouki, playing originals and covers of folk, blues, rock, country music and more!

Local Events: Check out Twin City Riot's White Wedding Bout on Saturday, August 25 in Barre.  Doors open at 6pm- whistle is at 7pm.  Presale tickets are $10 or $15 at the door. Help support the Central Vermont Roller Derby League and have a good time doing it.

Reminders: We are open seven days a week in summer!

We are open daily after 2:30 for coffee, bar service, and baked goods, and free WiFi, with dinner reservations available from 5-9, Sundays from 5-8. We serve our special Blunch menu Sundays from 11-2. We appreciate it when you use cash or a check - credit card companies charge us a fee that really adds up. Thanks to many of you we have been able to significantly reduce those fees.

Click on the image above to get a closer look!